September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a month to remember lives lost to suicide, the millions of people worldwide who struggle or have struggled with suicidal ideation, and the individuals, families, and communities that have all been impacted by suicide. Local Olmsted County data from the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey stated that in 2022, 22.1% of high school students reported serious consideration of attempting suicide. Rochester Public Schools cares for and values the safety of students and staff, and we work hard to tackle suicide ideation and other mental health problems. Below, we will discuss some suicide statistics, some warning signs, and how you can respond if you or someone you know is in danger. This information could be sensitive to some individuals.
According to the National Alliance of Mental Health Illness, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 in the U.S. Nearly 20% of high school students report serious thoughts of suicide, and 9% have made an attempt to take their lives. Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is in the top three causes of death for students aged 10-14, with youth and young adults ages 10-24 accounting for 15% of all suicides.
Though suicide can be sudden and tragic, most people considering suicide will show signs of ideations well before such an event occurs. The Jason Foundation, a youth suicide prevention organization, states that four out of five of those considering suicide will exhibit some signs of their intentions, either behaviorally or verbally.
Signs that Someone is Considering Suicide
There are various signs that someone may be suicidal. You may hear comments or statements from someone considering suicide, either directly or indirectly. These comments or statements could be made in various ways, such as verbally, through text, or social media.
Those statements may include:
“I’d be better off dead.”
“I won’t be bothering you for much longer.”
“You’ll be better off without me around.”
“I hate my life.”
“I am going to kill myself.”
Other signs of someone considering suicide may include previous attempts, sudden expressions of hopelessness or despair, declining grades, poor school performance, poor hygiene, or withdrawal from friends and family. People planning to commit suicide may start preparing final arrangements. This includes giving away prized or favorite possessions, organizing their affairs, saying goodbye to family and friends, or even making funeral arrangements.
What to do if you suspect someone in your life is suicidal
Suspecting someone in your life to be suicidal can be very stressful and scary. The first thing you should do in this situation is to stay calm. Don’t be afraid to ask them direct questions. Doing this does not put the idea in their head by talking about it. You are opening up important lines of communication that could protect someone.
Second, don’t minimize or dismiss the threat. You can acknowledge and validate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety without encouraging the behavior. Stress your willingness to listen, and avoid judgemental statements such as, “You are overreacting” or, “Stop being weak.”
Third, do not promise confidentiality. There is a difference between privacy and confidentiality. If someone’s life is at risk, you should plan to involve professionals. Do not try to deal with it on your own, and never try to physically take a weapon away from someone. Helping a suicidal person can be very overwhelming and takes extreme amounts of time and energy. There are professionals who are able to help.
If able, do not leave a suicidal person alone. Try to get the person to seek help immediately from their doctor or the nearest emergency room. If the threat of suicide is imminent, call 911 or 988 immediately to keep them and yourself safe. Limit access to medications, firearms, or other lethal methods.
How do I respond if someone tells me they want to commit suicide or are suicidal?
It can be hard to be prepared for someone they know or love to express their desire to commit suicide.
Here are some responses that you can use the moment someone opens up to you about their ideations:
“It sounds like you’re really struggling. Can you tell me more? I’m here to listen and help where I can.”
“I hear you’re feeling really hopeless/sad/helpless/depressed right now. I want to help”
“Do you have a professional that you can talk to? Can I help you call someone to get help?”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Are you scared to be alone right now?”
“Are you worried you might do something to hurt yourself today?”
What if I am suicidal?
If you are feeling suicidal and not sure how to start the conversation with someone, here are some things you could say:
“When you get a chance, can you call me? I’m feeling alone and having some suicidal thoughts and could use some support.”
“I’m feeling really depressed/anxious/suicidal right now. I don’t know what to ask for, but I know I don’t want to be alone right now. Can you help me?”
“I know we don’t talk much, but I’m struggling, and I feel like you’re someone I can trust. Can we talk today?”
“I’m in a bad place, but I’m not ready to talk about it. Can you help me distract myself?”
“I’m suicidal. I need help right now.”
Suicide is a serious matter, but there are resources and professionals ready and willing to help you. If you or a student you know is struggling or needs someone to talk to, our schools have resources, so please contact your school. If you need help outside of school, visit the 998 Lifeline website. To learn more, visit the Warning Signs of Suicide page on the National Institute of Mental Health website. For emergency assistance, call 911.